A whistleblower has accused West Midlands Police (WMP) of being "institutionally antisemitic" and "ignoring" a series of alleged hate crimes against members of Birmingham's Jewish community. The explosive claims are detailed in a dossier of internal emails and crime logs leaked to a national newspaper.
Police Force Under Fire for Alleged Inaction
The leaked documents reportedly show that WMP failed to act on multiple serious complaints. In one shocking incident, a 12-year-old Jewish girl was allegedly punched in the face and kicked in the stomach by a classmate who shouted 'free Palestine'. The attack left the child needing medical attention, yet the force is accused of "failing to act".
In another case, the force's own Prevent Unit is said to have taken no action after discovering a school WhatsApp group where a student expressed a wish that Hitler had done more to "kill the dirty rats [Jews]". The whistleblower, who has shared the documents with The Telegraph, also claims a former police volunteer was dismissed after raising concerns about the force's handling of such reports.
A spokesman for West Midlands Police responded to the allegations, stating the force will "never tolerate any form of hate crime" and that all reports are taken seriously. This controversy comes as the force remains under intense scrutiny following the recent resignation of its chief constable, Craig Guildford.
Historic 'Red Palace' Goes Up in Flames
In a separate incident, a major fire tore through one of Birmingham's most distinctive historic buildings last Friday. The Grade II-listed building at 1-7 Constitution Hill, known locally as the 'red palace' for its triangular shape reminiscent of New York's Flatiron building, was badly damaged in a blaze that took eight hours to extinguish.
The fire broke out on the fourth floor around 7:30 pm, resulting in one person being injured and taken to hospital. The West Midlands Fire Service has since declared the cause as "accidental", noting the building's exterior remains largely intact. The property, which recently housed the Syriana restaurant, has a complex history.
Research by The Dispatch reveals the building's freehold is owned by Brilliant Conch Limited, an overseas entity registered in the British Virgin Islands. The company purchased the property in 2017 for £1.02 million. Local heritage campaigners note the site has seen previous redevelopment attempts and a fire in 2007.
NHS Manager Jailed for £123k Fraud
In other news, a former NHS manager has been sentenced to jail for a brazen fraud that diverted funds meant for patient care. Alec Gandy, a manager at the Integrated Health and Care Trust in Dudley, pleaded guilty to defrauding the NHS of £123,000.
Between 2022 and 2023, Gandy registered two fictitious employees using the personal details of a friend and his ex-wife. He then created fake invoices for their non-existent work, funnelling the majority of the money back to himself to fund a gambling habit. The case was reported by the BBC following a successful prosecution.
The Dispatch continues to cover a wide range of local stories, from community conflicts with large property management firms to the ongoing financial challenges at Birmingham City Council, which reportedly spent £25.1 million on special needs transport this year. Readers are encouraged to share their insights on local independent bookshops or contact the publication if they work within the NHS and can provide insider perspective.
